Excerpt: Conclusions: Serum levels of uric acid and the FEUA are altered in transsexuals as a result of cross-sex hormone therapy. The results concerning the MTF group support the hypothesis that the lower levels of uric acid in women are due to estrogen-induced increases in FEUA.

Excerpt: "The police accused us of pimping for transgendered sex workers and of being a center of prostitution, " Cakmak said, "but of course they found nothing to confirm these ridiculous and false charges. Our membership list and other documents were eventually returned to us, and up until now none of our members has been bothered by the police because their names were on that list."

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) today condemned the arrests of three Ugandan LGBT activists and called for their immediate and unconditional release. The three — Onziema Patience, (an FTM transgender, 28), Valentine Kalende (female, age 27) and Auf (male, age 26) — were arrested yesterday morning by the Uganda Police Force at the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting currently taking place in Kampala, Uganda. Along with other LGBT and HIV and AIDS activists, they were peacefully protesting statements made by a Ugandan government official that no funds would be directed toward HIV programs targeting men who have sex with men. SMUG and IGLHRC have fears for the safety of the three activists.

Cuba has authorized sex-change operations and will offer them free for qualifying citizens, an official said Friday. The move is the latest in a series of changes implemented by President Raul Castro since he succeeded his elder brother, Fidel, in February. Raul Castro's daughter, Mariela, heads Cuba's National Center for Sex Education, which strongly backs the new policy.

Excerpt: On my 12th birthday in 1967 I was surrounded by a clutch of psychiatrists who fed me LSD to rid me of my desire to be female. It did not work but I think Timothy Leary may have thought it the right move for a whole host of other reasons.

Excerpt: Calpernia Addams - the surviving partner of Barry Winchell, a Fort Campbell Army private harassed and then murdered in 1999 for dating the transgendered performer - was also a presenter, and talked about the success of her cable TV stint and her busy schedule of engagements.

This week as part of Los Angeles's Gay Pride celebration, trans activist Masen Davis will be honored with the Berman/Schaffer Award, recognizing his leadership skills in inspiring self-esteem and building strategic partnerships that further the LGBT movement.

Excerpt: It is unlikely any version of ENDA will land on the president's desk this year, and Baldwin thinks that the time remaining in this session of Congress can be used to "do a lot of member education" around the need for an inclusive ENDA.

Asked specifically what type of education is needed, Baldwin was clear that transgender people need to tell their personal stories and that members of Congress need to "hear the struggles transgender people face and why an inclusive bill is critical." Additionally, she said that members who did support the inclusive version last year need to hear from constituents that the support "was noted and appreciated, and that the community will support them in turn."

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) this week signed legislation into law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, public accommodations, credit transactions, juror service and other areas.

Organizers for this year's Capital Pride estimate about 40,000 visitors will descend on Washington for the annual parade and about 200,000 for the festival, which includes a few minor upgrades from last year's event.